Balthazar Blake is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protege. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

A long time ago I read a book called Sorcerer’s Apprentice that was a fantasy epic book and I am pretty sure the film is not an adaptation of that book but more of an adaptation of Fantasia also a Disney film even with a scene of dancing mops and brooms doing a cleanup. But what it is instead is another film in a long line of films that is fascinated with magic and what it would be like one day to just wake up and find yourself a wizard or warlock or sorcerer. The idea of magic in the modern world a world of science and technology is a fascinating idea and for the most part the Sorcerer’s Apprentice does capture your imagination enough to be entertained for ninety minutes.

The story is the tried and true version of an ordinary and somewhat geeky kid that all of a sudden has a world of magic and wonder thrust upon him, This has been done from everything and anything from Spiderman to Wanted and it always seems to revolve around an individual that is somewhat socially inept. The film is fun an entertaining but because the story has been a little overused it’s nothing that wows you or blows you away, I think it would be an interesting concept to try the story with an athlete instead of always the science geek and it might make for a new twist on the story.

The star of the film though at times are the effects and graphics after all the story is about magic. This is the kind of film that greatly benefits from CGI as the effects sell the movie and keep it action packed. From a paper dragon that comes to life in Chinatown to plasma balls the film uses its CGI very well and entertains you as much as the story does at times.

Nicolas Cage is an odd choice for this movie as he plays the character like rock and roll meets magic in that very Nicolas Cage kind of way. For the most part he does a good job it’s just hard to suspend disbelief at times and see him as a Sorcerer. Jay Baruchel plays your atypical science geek who just wants to win the girl and really doesn’t add that much to the movie. It is Alfred Molina who steals the show as the slick villain willing to do anything to get revenge for being spurned, Sorcerer’s Apprentice is an ok movie nothing that grand but still entertaining.

Grade: B-